CHED 467

The purpose of this research is to develop a highly selective, highly sensitive fluorescence based sensor for transition metals.  When the metal attaches to the compound it will fluoresce. N-butyl-4-(1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane)-1,8-naphthalimide [Cyclen-4] was used to see if the amount of nitrogen present in a ring would enhance the fluorescence. Solvent studies, acid/base studies, and metal ion tests were done on Cyclen-4 to see how the polarity and the pH changes the fluorescence of the compound.  The addition of cylcen to the 4 position of the 1,8-naphthalimide did not quench fluorescence in the presence of metals as expected.